Electrolyzed Saline Irrigation Clears Lung Infections in Empyema Patients
- Authors
- Kembu Nakamoto, Motohiro Takeshige, Toshiyuki Fujii, Hiroshi Hashiyada, Kazuya Yoshida, Sadahiro Kawamoto
- Journal
- Surgical Infections
- Year
- 2016
- DOI
- 10.1089/sur.2015.267
- Study Type
- Human
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Empyema
- Body System
- Respiratory
TL;DR
Using electrolyzed saline to wash out the infected area in patients with chest infections was effective and safe, leading to quick recovery in most cases.
Key Finding
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Summary
The study looked at 20 patients with chest infections called empyema and treated them by washing out the infected area with a special saltwater solution during a minimally invasive surgery. After treatment, the infection cleared up quickly for most patients, and their inflammation levels dropped significantly within a week. The procedure was successful in 90% of the cases, with only one patient having a recurrence and another dying from a related lung abscess.
Abstract
Background: The empyema space is refractory to elimination of bacterial colonization. Electrolyzed saline (ES) was used as intra-pleural irrigation for rapid disinfection of the empyema space. Patients and methods: Twenty consecutive patients with para-pneumonic empyema were reviewed in this study from 2007 to 2015. The empyema space was irrigated by miniaturized thoracoscopic surgery (mini VATS), and the efficacy and safety of the use of ES were evaluated. Results: Sixteen patients were male and four were female, with a mean age of 66.5 ± 9.5 y (27-90 y). Bacterial cultures of the purulent effusions from all 20 patients had positive results. Seventeen patients subsequently underwent continuous catheter irrigation and drainage. No patient had chest pain during ES irrigation. Fever duration after mini VATS was 2.8 ± 1.8 d (0-5 d). Catheter indwelling time was 10.3 ± 7.2 d (3-33 d). Inflammatory markers significantly improved (p < 0.05) within a week after mini VATS. Eighteen patients achieved pleural disinfection, and two patients had residual pathogens, one of whom later died of lung abscess. Space closure was successful in 14 patients. No patient underwent subsequent open drainage. Nineteen (95%) patients were discharged from the hospital. This treatment was successful in 18 (90%) patients, and one (5.6%) patient experienced recurrence. Conclusions: The ES irrigation facilitates the rapid disinfection and closure of the empyema space.